Material filling equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides material filling equipment, and belongs to the technical field of food processing equipment.The material filling equipment comprises a material box, a discharging pipe and a connecting support, the material box is used for loading particle materials, and the material box is provided with a plurality of discharging openings for outputting the particle materials; the discharging pipe is used for receiving a liquid material, and the discharging pipe is provided with a plurality of liquid outlets for outputting the liquid material; the connecting bracket is connected with the material box and the discharging pipes, so that the discharging pipes are arranged in parallel at intervals relative to the material box; and in the conveying direction of the mold, the multiple discharging openings correspond to the multiple liquid outlets in a one-to-one mode. According to the material filling equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention, the material box and the discharging pipe are connected through the connecting support, the original separated filling process is integrated into synchronous continuous operation, the product quality is improved, and the product yield is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to food processing equipment technology, and more particularly to a material filling device. Background Technology

[0002] The production of chocolate beans requires a bean-spreading device and a filling cart. The specific production process of chocolate beans is as follows: the bean-spreading device is used to spread granular material on the mold, and then liquid chocolate is poured into the granular material on the mold through a pen-type filling cart.

[0003] However, due to the large distance between the bean-spreading equipment and the pen-type pouring cart, the time it takes for the granular material inside the mold to travel to the pen-type pouring cart is relatively long. When the liquid chocolate poured by the pen-type pouring cart enters the mold, it is cooled and solidified by the low temperature of the mold before it has completely flowed to the bottom of the granular material. This easily leads to the liquid chocolate not being able to completely coat the granular material, resulting in poor quality and a low yield. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a material filling device to improve the problem in the related art where liquid chocolate cannot completely coat the granular material, resulting in poor quality of chocolate beans.

[0005] This application provides a material filling device for filling materials into a mold, including:

[0006] A hopper for loading granular materials, the hopper having multiple outlets for discharging the granular materials;

[0007] A discharge pipe is used to receive liquid materials, and the discharge pipe is provided with multiple outlets for discharging the liquid materials;

[0008] A connecting bracket connects the material box and the discharge pipe, so that the discharge pipe is arranged parallel to the material box at intervals; along the conveying direction of the mold, multiple discharge ports and multiple liquid outlets correspond one-to-one.

[0009] In some possible implementations, a nozzle assembly is also included, the nozzle assembly including a snap-fit ​​element that snaps into the discharge tube and a discharge nozzle passing through the snap-fit ​​element, the discharge nozzle communicating with the liquid outlet, the discharge nozzle being configured to receive and guide the liquid material into the mold.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the fastener includes two resiliently hinged arc-shaped clamps that together hold the discharge pipe, with the discharge nozzle passing through one of the two arc-shaped clamps.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the discharge nozzle has a guide section bent toward the hopper, and the liquid outlet of the guide section extends downward.

[0012] In some possible implementations, there are multiple nozzle assemblies, and each of the multiple nozzle assemblies is configured to correspond one-to-one with a plurality of liquid outlets of the discharge pipe.

[0013] In some possible implementations, a connecting bracket is connected to each of the opposite sides of the material box, and the two ends of the discharge pipe are respectively connected to the two connecting brackets.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the connecting bracket includes at least two connecting arms, both of which are connected to the hopper.

[0015] In some possible implementations, a feed pipe is also included, the feed pipe having a feed inlet and at least two feed outlets connected in parallel with the feed inlet, the at least two feed outlets being connected together to the discharge pipe.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the at least two feed ports are arranged symmetrically relative to the feed port, and the feed port is located on the central axis of the feed tube.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the bottom of the hopper is provided with an auxiliary feeding plate extending along its own edge. The auxiliary feeding plate is provided with a plurality of slots at intervals, which are configured to cooperate with the mold to form a conveying channel for guiding the particulate material.

[0018] The material filling equipment provided in this application embodiment outputs granular material through a material bin and liquid material through a discharge pipe. Since the connecting bracket connects the material bin and the discharge pipe, multiple discharge ports and multiple liquid outlets correspond one-to-one along the conveying direction of the mold. The connecting bracket connects the material bin and the discharge pipe to form an integral filling component, integrating the originally separate bean sprinkling process and liquid chocolate filling process into synchronous continuous operation, eliminating the time delay of the process, and avoiding the liquid chocolate from being affected by the low temperature of the mold and condensing and failing to coat the granular material, effectively improving the quality of the finished chocolate bean product. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the material filling equipment according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Assembly diagram of the discharge pipe and nozzle assembly of the medium material filling equipment;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the feed nozzle assembly.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0024] 100. Material bin; 101. Discharge port; 102. Auxiliary feeding plate; 103. Slotting;

[0025] 200. Discharge pipe;

[0026] 300. Connecting bracket; 301. Connecting arm;

[0027] 400. Feed nozzle assembly; 401. Arc-shaped clamp; 402. Discharge nozzle; 4021. Guide section;

[0028] 500, feed pipe; 501, feed inlet; 502, feed outlet.

[0029] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components or components having the same or similar functions throughout. The described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of this application. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0033] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in a sequence other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0035] As mentioned in the background technology, in the production process of chocolate beans, the distance between the bean-spreading equipment and the liquid chocolate-pouring equipment is relatively far. When the mold is transported from the bean-spreading equipment to the liquid chocolate-pouring equipment, the granular material stays in the mold for a long time and is cooled down by the temperature of the mold. When the liquid chocolate is poured, it is affected by the low temperature of the granular material and condenses, which means that the liquid chocolate cannot completely coat the granular material, resulting in incomplete chocolate beans and a low yield.

[0036] Based on this, this application provides a material filling device that outputs granular material through a material bin and liquid material through a discharge pipe. Since the connecting bracket connects the material bin and the discharge pipe, multiple discharge ports and multiple liquid discharge ports correspond one-to-one along the conveying direction of the mold. The connecting bracket connects the material bin and the discharge pipe to form an integral filling component, integrating the originally separate bean sprinkling process and liquid chocolate filling process into a synchronous continuous operation, eliminating the time delay of the process, and preventing the liquid chocolate from being affected by the low temperature of the mold and condensing and failing to coat the granular material, thus effectively improving the quality of the finished chocolate beans.

[0037] The material filling equipment of this application embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] like Figure 1As shown, the material filling equipment of this application embodiment includes a material bin 100, a discharge pipe 200, and a connecting bracket 300. The material bin 100 is used to load granular materials and has multiple discharge ports 101 for discharging granular materials. The discharge pipe 200 is used to receive liquid materials and has multiple liquid outlets for discharging liquid materials. The connecting bracket 300 connects the material bin 100 and the discharge pipe 200 so that the discharge pipe 200 is arranged parallel to the material bin 100 at intervals. Along the conveying direction of the mold, the multiple discharge ports 101 and the multiple liquid outlets correspond one-to-one.

[0039] As can be seen from the above description, the material filling equipment provided in this application embodiment uses the material bin 100 to output granular material and the discharge pipe 200 to output liquid material. Since the connecting bracket 300 connects the material bin 100 and the discharge pipe 200, and the discharge pipe 200 is arranged parallel to the material bin 100 at intervals, the granular material discharge (i.e., sprinkling beans) and the liquid material discharge can be completed synchronously at the same station. The mold does not need to move a long distance, eliminating the transmission time of granular material from sprinkling beans to filling liquid chocolate in the traditional process, and avoiding the problem of granular material cooling caused by excessive mold movement time.

[0040] In addition, the discharge port 101 and the liquid outlet correspond one-to-one along the mold conveying direction. After each granular material is sprinkled, liquid chocolate can be poured into the corresponding liquid outlet, reducing the time difference of sprinkling beans and ensuring that the chocolate liquid is completely coated when the granular material is in a warm state. This helps to ensure molding quality and improve economic efficiency.

[0041] In this embodiment, the particulate material refers to chocolate beans that are not coated with chocolate liquid, and the liquid material refers to liquid chocolate. During the bean-sprinkling process, the particulate material in the material box 100 is controlled by feeding components such as feeding valves or feeding robotic arms, and is discharged from the material box 100 through the discharge port 101 into the mold below the material box 100. Subsequently, the mold is moved to below the liquid outlet of the discharge pipe 200, and the liquid material received by the discharge pipe 200 is discharged through the liquid outlet, pouring onto the particulate material in the mold to form a coating effect.

[0042] In some embodiments, the granular material and liquid material can also be varied according to the production scenario. For example, the material filling equipment can be applied to food processing scenarios such as filled candies, filled cakes, and multi-layer nutrition bars, or the material filling equipment can be applied to the pharmaceutical industry for tablet coating, as long as the granular material is dispensed first and the liquid material is poured onto the granular material to form an encapsulation effect.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in the embodiment of this application, the material filling equipment also includes a nozzle assembly 400. The nozzle assembly 400 includes a fastener that snaps into the discharge pipe 200 and a discharge nozzle 402 that passes through the fastener. The discharge nozzle 402 is connected to the liquid outlet and is configured to receive and guide liquid material into the mold.

[0044] Specifically, the fastener includes two elastically hinged arc-shaped clamps 401, which together clamp the discharge pipe 200, and the discharge nozzle 402 passes through one of the two arc-shaped clamps 401.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the nozzle assembly 400 is used to guide the liquid material from the outlet 101 into the mold. The two arc-shaped clamping pieces 401 can be connected by a common pivot, forming a rotatable hinge. Furthermore, an elastic element is sleeved on the pivot, and the elastic force of the elastic element forms the elastic hinge effect of the arc-shaped clamping pieces 401. Preferably, the elastic element can be a torsion spring, with its center sleeved on the pivot. One end of the torsion spring abuts against one of its arc-shaped clamping pieces 401, and the other end abuts against the other arc-shaped clamping piece 401. Thus, the torsion spring has an elastic force that drives the two arc-shaped clamping pieces 401 to clamp towards each other.

[0046] By setting a snap-fit ​​component to engage with the discharge pipe 200, the elastically hinged arc-shaped clamp 401 can be opened and closed manually by pressing, without the need for tools, which facilitates the disassembly and assembly of the nozzle assembly 400. In addition, the elastically hinged arc-shaped clamp 401 can compensate for the dimensional tolerances of the discharge pipe 200, and the clamping force is dynamically adjusted according to the pipe diameter to ensure the sealing effect between the nozzle assembly 400 and the discharge pipe 200 under different working conditions.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the discharge nozzle 402 is a tubular tube for guiding liquid material. The discharge nozzle 402 has a guide section 4021 bent towards the material tank 100, and the liquid outlet of the guide section 4021 extends downward. One end of the discharge nozzle 402, which passes through the arc-shaped clamp 401, communicates with the liquid outlet of the discharge pipe 200. To prevent leakage at the connection between the discharge nozzle 402 and the liquid outlet, the discharge nozzle 402 and the liquid outlet are interference-fitted, or the discharge nozzle 402 and the arc-shaped clamp 401 are rotatably connected. The end of the discharge nozzle 402 facing the liquid outlet has a threaded section, which is threadedly connected to the liquid outlet. The connection and sealing between the discharge nozzle 402 and the discharge outlet 101 in this embodiment is only an example.

[0048] The bent guide end of the 402 discharge nozzle guides and adjusts the flow direction of the liquid material to vertical downward, avoiding the problem of liquid splashing or deviation when the traditional straight pipe discharges directly downward, ensuring that the liquid material falls accurately into the mold and reducing the landing point error of the liquid material.

[0049] This also shows that the extended feeding path of the discharge nozzle 402 at the guide end can shorten the path of liquid materials (such as liquid chocolate) exposed to the air, reduce the heat loss of liquid chocolate, maintain the fluidity of liquid chocolate, and send out liquid material through the extended discharge nozzle 402 before the granular material has cooled down after feeding. This allows the liquid material to be poured into the granular material in the mold immediately, ensuring that the liquid chocolate can completely coat the chocolate beans.

[0050] In the above embodiments, there are multiple nozzle assemblies 400, and each of the multiple nozzle assemblies 400 is configured to correspond one-to-one with the multiple liquid outlets of the discharge pipe 200.

[0051] Here, the nozzle assembly 400 can be detached and fixed to the discharge pipe 200 through a snap-fit ​​component. Each nozzle assembly 400 corresponds to an independent liquid outlet. By replacing the discharge nozzle 402 with different diameters, the output flow rate and flow of the nozzle assembly 400 can be changed accordingly. Therefore, multiple nozzle assemblies 400 are set up one-to-one with multiple liquid outlets, which can realize fine adjustment of single-point process parameters of the liquid outlet. When one of the nozzle assemblies 400 is blocked or damaged, it is only necessary to close the corresponding liquid outlet or directly replace it with a new nozzle, without affecting the normal operation of other liquid outlets. This can also reduce the maintenance frequency and cost.

[0052] By increasing or decreasing the number of nozzle assemblies 400, different sizes of molds can be adapted without modifying the overall equipment. For example, single-row 6-hole to 48-hole molds can be adapted by using the corresponding number of liquid outlets for different mold sizes and installing nozzle assemblies 400 on the corresponding liquid outlets. This design also helps improve production line changeover efficiency and ensures high efficiency in large-scale production.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of this application, a connecting bracket 300 is connected to each of the opposite sides of the material box 100, and the two ends of the discharge pipe 200 are connected to the two connecting brackets 300 respectively.

[0054] Here, the connecting bracket 300 includes at least two connecting arms 301, both of which are connected to the material box 100. The connecting arms 301 and the material box 100 can be fixedly connected by welding or by bolts that pass through both. For example, the connecting bracket 300 is "F" shaped, with the two connecting arms 301 of the connecting bracket 300 connected to the material box 100, and the end facing away from the material box 100 connected to the end of the discharge pipe 200, thereby ensuring the stable fixation of the material box 100 and the discharge pipe 200.

[0055] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the material filling equipment also includes a feed pipe 500, which has a feed inlet 501 and at least two feed outlets 502 connected in parallel with the feed inlet 501. The at least two feed outlets 502 are connected to the discharge pipe 200.

[0056] The aforementioned feed pipe 500 is used to guide liquid material into the discharge pipe 200. The feed port 501 of the feed pipe 500 is connected to an external device for storing liquid material. Two parallel feed ports 502 jointly receive liquid material. Furthermore, the two feed ports 502 are symmetrically arranged relative to the feed port 501, and the feed port 501 is located on the central axis of the feed pipe.

[0057] Therefore, the symmetrical design of the dispensing ports 502 allows the liquid chocolate to flow bidirectionally and equally from the inlet 501 along the central axis, eliminating pressure deviations caused by unilateral liquid supply and reducing flow differences among the outlets 101. As an alternative implementation, the dispensing ports 502 can also be set to other numbers, such as four or six, as long as they are arranged symmetrically relative to the inlet 501.

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the bottom of the material box 100 is provided with an auxiliary feeding plate 102 extending along its own edge direction. The auxiliary feeding plate 102 is configured with a plurality of slots 103 at intervals. The slots 103 are configured to cooperate with the mold to form a conveying channel for guiding particulate materials.

[0059] The slot 103 on the auxiliary feeding plate 102 is generally a semi-circular slot 103. The mold has an upwardly protruding cylindrical channel. When the mold runs to the bottom of the material box 100, the cylindrical channel and the slot 103 engage, so that the falling granular material enters the mold along the cylindrical channel, avoiding the granular material from splashing and deviating from the mold.

[0060] An exemplary usage process of the material filling equipment according to an embodiment of this application is as follows:

[0061] Multiple rows of molds pass sequentially through the material bin 100 and the discharge pipe 200 along the conveying direction. The granular material in the material bin 100 falls onto one of the rows of molds through the discharge port 101. The row of molds moves to below the discharge pipe 200. The liquid material received by the feed pipe 500 passes sequentially through the discharge port 101 of the discharge pipe 200 and the guide section 4021 of the discharge nozzle 402 before falling onto the row of molds and wrapping the granular material on the molds to complete the production of chocolate beans.

[0062] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the utility models disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this application are indicated by the following claims.

[0063] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A material filling device for filling materials into a mold, characterized in that, include: A hopper (100) is used to load granular materials, and the hopper (100) is provided with a plurality of outlets (101) for discharging the granular materials. The discharge pipe (200) is used to receive liquid materials, and the discharge pipe (200) is provided with multiple outlets for discharging the liquid materials; A connecting bracket (300) connects the material box (100) and the discharge pipe (200) so that the discharge pipe (200) is arranged parallel to the material box (100) at intervals; along the conveying direction of the mold, a plurality of discharge ports (101) and a plurality of liquid outlets correspond one to one.

2. The material filling equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a nozzle assembly (400), which includes a snap fastener that engages with the discharge pipe (200) and a discharge nozzle (402) passing through the snap fastener. The discharge nozzle (402) is connected to the liquid outlet and is configured to receive and guide the liquid material into the mold.

3. The material filling equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fastener includes two elastically hinged arc-shaped clips (401), which together hold the discharge pipe (200), and the discharge nozzle (402) passes through one of the two arc-shaped clips (401).

4. The material filling equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The discharge nozzle (402) has a guide section (4021) that bends toward the hopper (100), and the liquid outlet port of the guide section (4021) extends downward.

5. The material filling equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The nozzle assembly (400) has multiple components, and each of the multiple nozzle assemblies (400) is configured to correspond one-to-one with the multiple liquid outlets of the discharge pipe (200).

6. The material filling equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The material box (100) is connected to a connecting bracket (300) on each of its opposite sides, and the two ends of the discharge pipe (200) are connected to the two connecting brackets (300) respectively.

7. The material filling equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connecting bracket (300) includes at least two connecting arms (301), and at least two of the connecting arms (301) are connected to the hopper (100).

8. The material filling equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, It also includes a feed pipe (500), which has a feed port (501) and at least two feed outlets (502) connected in parallel with the feed port (501), and the at least two feed outlets (502) are connected together to the discharge pipe (200).

9. The material filling equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The at least two feed inlets (502) are arranged symmetrically relative to the feed inlet (501), and the feed inlet (501) is located on the central axis of the feed tube.

10. The material filling equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The bottom of the material box (100) is provided with an auxiliary feeding plate (102) extending along its own edge. The auxiliary feeding plate (102) is provided with a plurality of slots (103) at intervals. The slots (103) are configured to cooperate with the mold to form a conveying channel for guiding the granular material.

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